The part of wearables that geeks forget about: not looking like a tool

The geeks at Google designing their augmented reality glasses project — Google Glass — are turning to the fashionable folks at online glasses startup Warby Parker, according to the New York Times. The idea is that while Google can pioneer the engineering of connected glasses that can take pictures, record videos and go online hands-free, they’re not exactly the leading thinkers when it comes to fashionable eyewear.

Fashion is something that will become increasingly important for wearables as they become more mainstream. Connected wristbands — like Nike’s FuelBand and Jawbone UP — will only be adopted by a certain section of the population, and startups like Misfit Wearables are emerging to try to make style and design of their wearable device (the Shine) their differentiating factor.

It’s even more important when the wearable is on your face. The Bluetooth headset, regardless of a product’s sleek design, sends an instant dork signal to anybody passing by.

I love this quote from BaubleBar co-founder Daniella Yacobovsky in the New York Times article on the next thing that wearables like Google Glass need:

“Is it useful? Of course it is. Do I look like a tool? Yeah. I’m not going to wear it.”

At our RoadMap event November 2012, which was focused on connected design, Warby Parker co-CEO and co-founder Dave Gilboa talked about design, fashion and giving consumers what they want. We’ll be hosting the third annual RoadMap later this year in November, and will continue to discuss these subjects. In the meantime, check out Gibloa’s thoughts in this video: